Shopping centres across the country are reporting good growth figures for the traditionally quiet post-Christmas season - but retailers warn this could be a flash in the pan as a result of panic buying.

Retailers should stay alert as the festive season draws to an end, and prepare for tough and uncertain trading conditions this year.

Analysts say sluggish economic activity and higher interest rates are set to knock consumer confidence

SA SHOPPERS were more active than many had expected last year, but the outlook for the current year is more gloomy owing to the expectations of higher interest rates.

CAPE TOWN The SA clothing industry has the potential to emulate the export achievements of domestic vehicle manufacturers, Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin said yesterday.

Retail veteran Mickey Radowsky often faces tough boardroom questions about his centre's turnover trend. His answer is invariably the same – don't judge a centre on one Christmas. Or two.

 

 

As we entered the new century, the two JSE listed property investment sectors, namely the Property Unit Trust sector and the Property Loan Stock sector, had market capitalization of R4.92bn and R3.86bn respectively. Since then the market capitalization for the two sectors has grown from R8.78bn to R12.77bn – a growth of 45% in capitalization over the period.

MARITZBURG's town and regional planning commission has approved a rezoning application for a new shopping centre to be built on the city's landmark old brickworks site.

DURBAN Provincial development finance agency Ithala will expand its R231m portfolio of 15 one-stop shopping centres this year with two new multimillion-rand developments coming on stream in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal.

SA has the potential to become the call centre hub of the world and overseas companies are showing interest in moving operations here, says Rod Jones, director of Call Centre City.